Work starts on Victoria Square upgrade

Adelaide City Council said the first stage of the Victoria Square redevelopment should be finished by next January.

About $30 million is being spent for work, mainly on the northern end.

The Three Rivers fountain and Queen Victoria statue will be moved as part of the project.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood was on hand for a welcoming ceremony by a Kaurna elder on Monday, ahead of the formal work starting in the Square.

"[We are] delivering a project that's been discussed for over 40 years now," he said.

"I think it's a world-class project by fantastic designers.

"[There will be] more seating, more trees, a stage that we'll be able to celebrate all things South Australia. I really ask people to have an open mind because when they see the result, I'm confident they'll love it."

We are replacing the trees with twice as many and we believe that that outcome will be a significant improvement on what we have today

Stephen Yarwood

Mr Yarwood said the first stage had gone about $6 million above the initial cost estimate.

He remained hopeful of securing state and federal funding to allow the rest of the Square to be upgraded in the longer term.

"We'll keep chipping away ... I think people need to appreciate we all want things to happen instantaneously, and these things take time," he said.

"We will continue to talk to the Federal Government and we'll continue to talk to the State Government and Council also has their long-term financial plan. This is something that can evolve over five, eight, 10 years."

All the trees on the northern part of the Square will be removed as part of the current work.

Mr Yarwood said one of the 49 trees to be removed was classed as 'significant' and would be relocated to the city's south parklands.

"There's no doubt it's a sad day when any trees are lost. They are nearing the end of their life, they do provide poor shade cover," he said.

"We are replacing the trees with twice as many and we believe that that outcome will be a significant improvement on what we have today."